Redskins' Walton benched, may ask trade

MINNEAPOLIS J JHC MLB — MINNEAPOLIS -- Strong safety Alvin Walton, upset because he has been deactivated by the Washington Redskins for the Super Bowl today, is likely to ask to be traded after the game.

"It doesn't look like he has a future with the team, so we want his status clarified," his agent, Tony Agnone, said yesterday. "The options include [being put on] Plan B or a trade."

The Redskins replaced Walton on the roster with Terry Hoage, who was placed on injured reserve with a broken arm Oct. 26, but has recovered.

Walton suffered a shoulder injury in the second game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys and was not activated until the 15th game, against the New York Giants.

While he was inactive, he not on ly lost the starting strong safety job to Danny Copeland, but also lost the backup job to Sidney Johnson.

Walton is noted as a hard hitter, and he led the team in tackles for the previous four seasons, but the Redskins decided to replace him with Hoage on the active roster so they can use him in coverage schemes against the Buffalo Bills' wide-open offense. Walton thought he could still help on special teams.

Walton is expected to meet with Redskins officials after the team returns to Washington to see whether he can get himself traded. His base salary of $625,000 is 10th highest on the team.

The five-year veteran brought several family members to Minneapolis before he found out he wasn't going to be playing in the Super Bowl.

He started for the Redskins in their 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.